"Life is a cabaret, old chum! Come to the Cabaret!"
Step out of 2025 America and into 1929 Berlin in the Gilbert Theater’s latest season-opening production of Cabaret. From the moment playgoers walk through the door, they will be transported to the Kit Kat Club and introduced to all of its interesting and complex characters.
Cabaret is set in the rise of Nazi Germany, with the Third Reich steadily wrapping its hate and strength on the natives and expats of Berlin, altering the characters' lives and beliefs all at once. Exploring themes of resistance, belonging, love, fear, and fascism, Cabaret is a mirror into the past so the future doesn’t repeat itself. The story follows a young American writer, Cliff, new to Berlin and its hidden avant-garde nightlife, that is slowly being threatened by the Third Reich’s suppressive and violent regime.
After a night at the Kit Kat Club, Cliff becomes entranced with a beautiful English singer, Sally Bowles. A mix of saucy and meaningful dialogue and grand musical numbers, Cabaret is a must-see show. Opening night is Sept. 12, and the show runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until Sept. 28. Tickets can be purchased at the box office located at 116 Green Street or online at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36002/production/1236834
Matt Lamb, Gilbert Theater AD, is excited about the season-opening production and has added something special to commemorate the occasion, saying, “Cabaret will kick off our 32nd Mainstage season with an amazing offer. Director Robyne Parrish (Sleep No More) is bringing her immersive experience to the Gilbert Theater. We are transforming the Gilbert Theater into the world-famous Kit Kat Club. We will have four café tables down center. These tables seat two per table. We have partnered with Adam Lindsay of Lindsay Makery. He is creating Gilbert Theater logoed charcuterie boards that will be served to you by some of our Kit Kat Girls or Boys. Each seat will cost $50.00 per guest. You will also receive a raffle ticket for your chance to take home one of the charcuterie boards. We will announce the winners at our closing matinee performance on September 28th.”
Lamb and Parrish have assembled a stellar cast for this production.
Each cast member brings their own experience and passion for the role onto the stage, giving this show a level of authenticity that will be felt by the audience. With Cabaret having such deep and powerful themes, choosing a cast that could convey that was important to Parrish.
“We have an amazing cast. I mean, we got a perfect cast… all of the people in this room were just right,” she said.
The cast is equally excited to bring this musical to the stage and bring the Kit Kat Club to Fayetteville. Devon Cessna, who has been performing since he was a middle schooler, is now teaching middle school chorus and theater and gracing the stage as the mystifying Master of Ceremonies, saying, “Cabaret is just one of those shows that I have been in love with since high school. Especially in the world we live in, I think it’s important. The story is important to represent, and for me to learn more about myself as I’ve gotten older. Emcee has been one of those roles that have just kept recurring, as in, I would love to play that role, that would be such a fun role for me to play, and again, the representation that I’d be able to bring for the show has been a dream come true from when I was in high school.”
Teague Vernell is no stranger to acting, having small roles in shows like HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones and the upcoming Amazon original series, The Runarounds. Although a seasoned actor, this is his first time trying theater. And he is jumping in headfirst, snagging the role of the lead, Cliff Bradshaw, something he wasn’t counting on when he auditioned.
“Honestly, I wasn’t really sure what role I even wanted. I just wanted to be a participant. So, I’m just really glad for the opportunity,” Vernell said.
Jennifer Newman is setting the stage ablaze as the British songstress, Sally Bowles. No stranger to the stage or the Gilbert, Newman is channeling her inner star power to deliver a performance of a lifetime. This role has been on Newman’s radar since she started performing, saying, “I knew as soon as I saw that Cabaret was on the docket, I knew. Sally has been a dream role of mine since I was pretty much introduced to the show. She’s just a fun, powerhouse, quirky, crazy, but also a very deep and emotional character that I knew would be very different from a lot of the roles I’ve played before.”
Rounding out the lead cast members is Kim O’Callaghan. With a degree in Music Theater from Syracuse University, O’Callaghan has been making her own way in a world where Asian characters have been far and few between.
While she’s still been on the stage, it’s been a long time since she performed at the Gilbert Theater. Cabaret was the production to bring her back. “As for Cabaret, with the current political climate, I felt like I needed to do my part in getting this story out to people who may feel like, What would you have done back in the Civil Rights era? What would you have done back then? And if your answer is, I would have done something, well, now’s the time to do something. So, it’s one of the reasons why I’m in the show,” O’Callaghan said.
Whatever the reason, be a fan of the show or just a theater goer, this is a can’t-miss season opener for Gilbert Theater. Parents should be advised that this show does have mature language and adult themes and topics. Parent discretion is advised.
To learn more about the upcoming shows and grab your ticket for Cabaret, check out the theater's website at https://www.gilberttheater.com/.

(Photo courtesy of the Gilbert Theater)